Is this destiny?

It was time for performances.

Ade and Hande took the stage first. They thanked everyone for coming and for helping to get Aiden back, wished Sarah a happy birthday, and many happy years together for Sarah and Aiden.

After this, everyone knew that today is Sarah's and Aiden's three year anniversary and that tomorrow is Sarah's birthday.

When the short speech ended, Ade and Hande played their violins, setting the mood for other kids who took turns performing on the stage.

Sarah approved Merve's idea that guests vote for the best performances. For added excitement, Sarah added that the top three acts will get prizes. They found numerous treasures and valuable items in Nikolai's hidden storages, and they will be perfect as awards.

Merve and Corey went on the stage together and Merve announced excitedly: "Sarah allowed that the top three acts get to pick their prizes from the underground storage!"

This rose the mood by several levels. The idea that they can pick their rewards was very appealing to everyone.

Toddlers and babies joined with their nannies and they mixed with the animals. It didn't take long for three leopards to escape in the canopies of nearby trees, but Bella and Luna can't climb trees, so they were left at the mercy of energetic toddlers who were eager to tug on their ears and tails. Luckily, their play (aka torture) didn't last long, because the food was ready.

When the performances were over, Sarah took the stage.

"I am grateful to everyone who performed and helped put this event together. I want to use this opportunity to thank everyone for helping us in our time of need. Our lives are better because of you and we are grateful that we can consider you as our friends. We hope you know, if you need anything now or in the future, don't hesitate to call us. Thanks to every one of you, Aiden is back, and I couldn't wish for a better birthday than to spend it surrounded by friends and family. And Aiden."

Sarah left the stage, and the music started from the speakers Nico and Beck set up previously.

The bonfire was on, and the appetizing scent of the barbecue filled the air, enhancing already present pork and chicken that were roasted on the open flames.

"Where are you taking that?", Sarah asked Wing when she saw him go toward the villa with a full plate of barbecued vegetables and kebobs.

"Master said that he will not join the event, so…"

Sarah waved at him to proceed with what he was doing. "It's OK."

She understands that Hong keeps his identity as a secret, and here are too many outsiders present.

Sarah noticed that Hong came with them to the Lebedev family as soon as she became the Grand Elder, but other than a few training sessions with kids, he mostly kept to himself.

Aiden was feeding Sarah and she was robotically opening her mouth and eating whatever he offered while she observed the crowd.

Angelo was with Melissa on one side of the garden, while Jarred and Donnie were on another. Over the last three years, Angelo and Donnie are not avoiding each other, but on a few occasions when they were at a talking distance, it was forced. Somehow, they never cleared up the air between them and Sarah wondered if they will ever be able to interact normally but as long as they are not fighting openly, and their four kids think that it's fine, Sarah will not meddle.

Melissa often stays with Angelo in Italy, and he comes to Chicago occasionally. They go on dates or babysit Grayden and Amber together. Sarah asked them last year if they plan to get married, but both Melissa and Angelo said that they are happy with the things in the current state.

"I don't need a piece of paper to prove to Lisa that I am hers and that she is the most important woman in my life…", Angelo responded to Sarah while Melissa looked at him dreamily.

Jarred and Donnie are happy, and they are excited about Emma's pregnancy.

Emma's six-month belly is showing, and she is getting heavier by the day. That is why Sarah is super-grateful that Emma came here. Sarah observed Charlie hovering over Emma and making sure she has everything she needs close by.

Sarah wondered how Aiden's behavior will change when she tells him about her pregnancy. He is already pampering her.

Mathew and Samara were sitting at the table with Oscar and Elanor, and it seems that no one has anything against that match with a twenty-plus-years age gap. Well, Mathew and Samara are both adults, and they are happy.

Sarah's thoughts were interrupted when the lights dimmed. Do they have a power outage?

Her attention was drawn toward the light that came from the side and she saw Ivan and another man carrying a massive cake with lit up candles. Vasily was two steps behind them with a big grin on his face.

"Oh…", a sound escaped Sarah's lips.

A few times during the evening, she noticed that Vasily is not present and she wondered, how is it possible that Vasily would miss something like this? He is always enthusiastically foisting himself and pretending not to notice that they don't want him around. Now she knows… Vasily was in charge of the cake and based on his grin, people would think that he made it himself.

"It's not poisoned, is it?", Sarah asked Aiden in a whisper while gesturing toward the cake.

Aiden chuckled. "Vasily asked how he can help, and I gave him the recipe for the vanilla cake with fresh strawberries. It kept him busy for the whole afternoon and most of the evening."

Sarah exhaled and counted twenty-four candles on the cake.

"Don't forget to make a wish!", Vasily exclaimed and everyone erupted in the 'happy birthday' song after which Sarah blew the candles and guests clapped.

"Thank you, everyone!", Sarah exclaimed and took the knife to cut the cake.

"If you say that it tastes the same as mine, I will be offended.", Aiden grumbled. "And don't you dare say that it's better."

Sarah stifled a laugh. "If it tastes good, it means that your recipe was great. But this cake can't be good as yours no matter who the other pastry chef is, because you add the secret ingredient… love."

"Love and shaven almonds.", Aiden said matter-of-factly.

"I always wanted to attend one of Sarah's parties.", Vasily said while taking a seat at the table with Stella and Edward. He was happy that there is still plenty of food.

"You missed the performances.", Stella responded.

"I caught a few while my chef frosted the cake. These kids have many talents. Are they loyal?"

Stella hummed in confirmation. "They are loyal to Sarah and Aiden."

"Good… good…", Vasily mumbled and Stella was not sure if his comment was about the kids being loyal, or about the barbecued meat he put in his mouth. Probably both.

"Ahh… here they go…", Sophia exhaled and leaned on Felix while her eyes rested on Sarah and Aiden who were on the clearing for dancing.

"I'm glad that Sarah is smiling.", Felix voiced his thoughts.

Sophia hummed in agreement. "When Aiden is around, Sarah's smile becomes a permanent accessory."

Sarah and Aiden moved slowly at the beat of their own music without breaking the eye contact. They didn't pay attention to the tune, or the people watching them, or the dancers who joined them on the dance area. It was just the two of them in the world. And it was perfect.

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